Ghana’s ongoing struggle with illegal mining has entered a new phase of public scrutiny, with educationist and former NDPC Chairman, Professor Stephen Adei, sharply criticizing the government’s flagship gold-trading initiative, GoldBod.
In a video circulated widely on social media, Professor Adei contended that GoldBod, intended to formalize the gold sector and support licensed small-scale miners, may inadvertently legalize destructive galamsey practices. He pointedly accused politicians, traditional authorities, and security agencies of enabling the environmental degradation of Ghana’s major rivers—including the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra—while publicly presenting themselves as combatants of illegal mining.
“The politicians, the chiefs, and the security agents are responsible for polluting the entire water sources in Ghana. They have a way of making it look acceptable,” Professor Adei said. He argued that GoldBod effectively institutionalizes the purchase of gold from small-scale miners, many of whom cannot be clearly distinguished from illegal operators, thereby blurring the line between legitimate mining and galamsey.
GoldBod was established to serve as the exclusive buyer of gold from licensed small-scale miners, provide traceability, and enhance Ghana’s international reputation as a responsible gold producer. The initiative also aims to capture more of the US$5–7 billion annual gold export revenue that has historically slipped through unofficial channels.
However, Professor Adei questioned the logic behind creating a sole state buyer rather than aggressively enforcing environmental and mining regulations. He argued that if the government truly possessed the technical and political capacity to distinguish between legal miners and illegal galamsey operators, it could halt environmental destruction outright. Instead, he warned, GoldBod may absorb the output of environmentally harmful mining operations, effectively laundering gold obtained through destructive methods.
The veteran educationist’s critique highlights the scale of Ghana’s environmental and economic challenge. Unchecked illegal mining has reportedly affected over 80% of major water bodies, necessitating future multi-billion-dollar investments in water treatment and ecological restoration. Adei stressed that without rigorous enforcement, the economic benefits envisioned by GoldBod could be outweighed by long-term environmental and social costs.
Professor Adei concluded by urging the government to rethink its strategy, emphasizing that Ghana must prioritize ecological protection and transparent regulation over short-term revenue gains if the country is to safeguard both its natural resources and its economic future.
